| Gold nanoparticles were wrapped with polyelectrolytes and were deposited on a substrate coated with polyelectrolyte multilayer films. The adsorption of the colloids on the surface was followed by AFM and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The results suggested that the deposition of particles on a surface was performed successfully just by using a very simple and quick dipping method. Using the same technique, magnetic particles were coated with polyelectrolytes and deposited on polyelectrolyte multilayer films. Once again the adsorption of the particles on polymer films was achieved and more complex assemblies were then built. They consisted of a succession of polyelectrolyte films and magnetic nanoparticles. As the colloids exhibit magnetic properties, the possibility of controlling properties of thin polymer films with a strong magnet is investigated. Magnetic colloids were embedded into a polymer assembly which undergoes the effects of a magnet. Its thickness changes were analyzed by ellipsometry when the sample was immersed in water. It appeared that magnetic nanoparticles were able to squeeze a polyelectrolyte thin film in presence of a magnet, despite the polymer chains resistance. This phenomenon can be used as nano-switches in various applications in medical field for example. In the future, it could be interesting to study the effect of an oscillating magnetic field on composite polyelectrolyte multilayer-magnetic particles. If the thickness fluctuates with the magnetic field, new applications towards the nanodisplacement of a fluid on a surface can be possible: the oscillations at the surface moving the adjacent fluid. |
